THE Great North Air Ambulance received a big boost yesterday when the charity was presented with £2,500.

Pam Royle, patron of the Great North Air Ambulance Woman of Substance Appeal, received the helicopter- shaped cheque from Yarm Preparatory School, Yarm, near Stockton.

It was presented to her by Gillian Taylor, head of the school, and Wendy Young, head of the early school.

Mrs Taylor and Mrs Young had each agreed to undertake numerous fundraising events with the aim of raising £1,000 each for the charity. However, they exceeded their target.

Events included a non-uniform day at the school, cake sales and filling Smartie tubes with 20p coins. They also had their arms plastered for the day at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, and attempted to be goalkeepers in an event where children gave money to attempt to score goals against them.

Mrs Taylor said: "We are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile cause, which is of direct benefit to the people of this region. It also helps that we have had a lot of fun in the process."